CostIndexUSA

Lancaster, PA vs Panama City, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Lancaster
98.3
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
More AffordableFL
Panama City
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Panama City is slightly cheaper than Lancaster — 1.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lancaster, you would need $79,200 in Panama City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+2.8%
Lancaster
93.8
Panama City
96.4
🛒 Groceries4.5%
Lancaster
100.7
Panama City
96.2
🚗 Transportation+1.2%
Lancaster
102.6
Panama City
103.8
🏥 Healthcare+1.2%
Lancaster
92.8
Panama City
93.9
Utilities17.9%
Lancaster
107.3
Panama City
88.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Lancaster to see what you'd need to earn in Panama City to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Panama City, FL
$79,200
$800 less needed in Panama City

Formula: salary × (97.3 ÷ 98.3) = salary × 0.9898. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
93.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.7×

Panama City, FL

Median Home Price
$337,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
96.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5×

Panama City has 2.8% higher housing costs compared to Lancaster.

Income & Job Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,322
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismAgriculture

Panama City, FL

Median Household Income
$69,700
Per Capita Income
$39,700
Unemployment Rate
3%
Population
36,877
Top Industries
MilitaryTourismHealthcareManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Lancaster, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Panama City, FL
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.